The Hive’s agenda is a good one

The Hive says the major focus of either party should be to lift NZ’s earnings compared to other OECD countries. I agree.  They say productivity growth is key, and note our productivity growth is at its lowest level ever.

They suggest some steps which would help:

• tax cuts
• huge infrastructure investment
• bigger technology investment by business
• world class broadband
• less domination of the economy by Government
• rationalisation of local government
• moving in concert with the OECD on climate change policy response, not trying to be the leader

Nothing there I can disagree with.  Of course if you don’t try to be the climate change leader, then you won’t win awards from the UN. And hey that is much more important.

The reality is none of these steps by themselves will do the job.  You need an all of Government effort over all areas to really start to make a difference.  Kevin Rudd knows this and he is determined to increase the gap between Australia and NZ, not have it lessen.